England vs India 2014 - 4th Test: Preview

Varun Aaron could be given a game

After three Test matches of swaying fortunes, the fourth Test between India and England is going to be a crucial one. The match to be played from 7-11 August at Old Trafford is expected to see India play without two of its key pacers in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma. For England it’s relatively smoother, with all the members of their first choice team being fit and available. Also with captain Alastair Cook and Ian Bell returning to form, the prospects look more promising for the home side.

Tired looking Indian bowling line-up

India, after making a bright start to the series seem to stand the risk of getting outlasted at the fag end of it. BCCI’s newfound love for ECB might’ve made them arrange a 5-Test series in haste. Not only has the members of this young side never experienced such a long series, India hasn’t played a single 5-Test series since the 1996-97 tour of West Indies.

Maybe such a tough series at an early stage of a team-in-transition is taking its toll on the players, with a few of them clearly showing signs of tiring. Bhuvneshwar after bowling fantastically in the first two Tests was, according to Dhoni’s own admission, a bit short in length at Southampton. The heavy workload that the young pacer had to carry so far seems to be finally having its effect on him. With Ishant also out, the bowling group seems to lack the experience to pick up 20 wickets in foreign conditions.

The positives for the visiting side so far have been Murali Vijay, Ajinkya Rahane, the bowling in the Lord’s Test and the all-round performances of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Regarding the fifth bowler/all-rounder slot, there appears to be some confused ideas. If the Indian skipper had picked Stuart Binny in that role for the first 2 Tests, then why did he under-bowl him? Especially since on one occasion he had come really close to getting at least his 1st Test wicket! Doesn’t it make more sense to properly see out Binny and be sure that the plan doesn’t work before deciding to change it?

Once again, Dhoni might’ve looked good with the move if only Rohit Sharma hadn’t responsibly thrown his wickets away in both innings, yet again. The problems for India get compounded when we think of Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli’s lack of form, and the worries surrounding the spin department. While Pujara and Kohli might still find ways of coming back to form, it’s a common consensus that Dhawan has probably used up all the rope offered to him and now needs to make way for his senior state-mate Gambhir. Spin, once India’s most reliable weapon now looks a discouraging prospect with the only man to turn to apart from Ravindra Jadeja being Ravichandran Ashwin.

English players getting into the groove

Although anything can happen on a cricket field, England do look a complete study in contrast at least on paper. That, despite suffering a terrible 10 months prior, and starting the series on a disastrous note. Matt Prior’s replacement Jos Butler was an instant hit in the last game (courtesy the generosity of the Indian fielders).

Captain Cook and Bell have returned to form, thus rejuvenating the spirit of the entire side. Moeen Ali suddenly appears a combination of Graeme Swann and Muttiah Muralitharan. Add to that Gary Ballance’s centuries, and you suddenly have a well-oiled unit raring to go. Who would’ve thought this would be the state of the side that surrendered to Ishant Sharma at Lords!

The only worry for them appear to be Chris Woakes and Chris Jordan. With Liam Plunkett being ruled out, they have recalled Steve Finn to the squad. Also on account of being the home side they don’t have as many worries about injuries and replacements like their opponents. If England’s relatively more experienced bowlers retain the pressure on the Indian batsmen and their batsmen take it up from where they left it at the Ageas Bowl, it might become a handful for the tourists to cope with them.

A couple of changes could help India

However, a cricket match is won on the basis of execution of skills in the field, and a few inspired sessions can have a big impact in turning momentum on its head. The first thing that India needs to take care of is their fielding – especially the slip-catching. The butter-fingered effort of some otherwise good fielders have had a notable role in handing England the edge. If the fielding picks its standards then it can help lift the morale of the team. Have Gambhir replace Dhawan, and get Varun Aaron into the squad. As Sourav Ganguly has pointed out - Manchester is the fastest of all English pitches, and the lad from Jamshedpur has been a mere passenger so far.

There has been some clamour for Rahane being promoted up the order, but it may not be a smart move to tinker with the batting line-up. Nor is there much merit in replacing Jadeja or Rohit Sharma. However, replacing the out-of-form Mohammad Shami with Ishwar Pandey might be an option. Considering the bowling attack is severely dented anyway, it might be an useful ploy to bring in two unknown threats to try to unsettle England.

Finally, India will do well to keep in mind their captain’s urge to play positive, attacking cricket. One way to conquer the demons is to go all guns blazing, and if the batsmen can give the team a solid first innings total, and if Varun Aaron’s rawness works for the Indians’ advantage then we just might have a very interesting end-of-the-series on the cards!